When Houston native Dennis Warren got word the Claremore Daily Progress was in need of a new publisher, he was interested.

When he received the phone call asking him if he wanted the job, Warren said he stood up and said three words, “I will go.”

“I’m very happy to be here. Claremore is an outstanding community. One that’s growing, and I expect the Progress to grow right along with it, and along with Rogers County,” Warren said. “Growing in readership and in its addressing the needs and wants of those readers.”

The announcement of Warren as publisher, brings a second new face in as many years to the publisher’s seat at the Daily Progress.

Sean Evans succeeded longtime publisher, Dave Story, to the position in December 2006. Evans was promoted in January this year to vice-president of Sales and Marketing for parent company CNHI’s Great Plains Division.

Evans has served as interim

publisher since his promotion, pending Warren’s arrival. Warren comes to Claremore from the Enid News

& Eagle, where he was the

advertising manager.

Evans, who lives in Verdigris, said the Daily Progress will be his “home office” as he travels around the state working with CNHI’s 14 newspaper.

Keith Ponder, vice president, Great Plains Division manager, CNHI, said, “While Sean was at the Progress for only a short time he has had a deep and long-lasting impact, His expanded leadership role within our division and within our company is a testament to his talent and work ethic.

“He will have a statewide impact for good, not just for our newspapers but all the communities our newspapers serve,” Ponder said.

Although Warren met with Progress staff last week, his official presentation as publisher coincided with Saturday night’s annual Progress Edition reception at the Will Rogers Memorial where native son Clem McSpadden was honored by the Progress with a Lifetime Contribution Award.

“Dennis has had a distinguished career in our company and has earned the opportunity to lead this outstanding newspaper,” Ponder said. “He has done great work in Enid, both in the newspaper and community, and I’m confident he’ll make many contributions to the Progress, Claremore and Rogers County.”

Born in Houston, Texas, Warren grew up in the small town of Hull, Texas, graduating from high school at Hull-Daisetta High School.